By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
The Wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Olayemi Oyebanji was the cynosure of all eyes during this year children’s day event.
Dr Oyebanji who took her time to stay all through with them from the beginning to the end dancing and rejoicing with pupils, students and teachers advocated for collective responsibility and proper parenting that involve the government, civil society organizations, communities, and educational institutions to enhance a bright future for children.
She stated this during the match past cum exhibition organized to commemorate this year’s International Children’s Day held at the popular Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
According to the Governor’s Wife, all stakeholders were required to join hands and create enabling environment that supports parents in their sacred duty of proper children upbringing.
“We must invest in quality education, healthcare, social protection, and child-friendly policies that ensure the holistic development and well-being of every Nigerian child”.
She said this year’s Children’s Day celebration with the theme ‘The State of Nigerian Children Today: Proper Parenting for Value Reorientation and National Consciousness; remained a clarion call on stakeholders to reflect deeply on their responsibilities.
She emphasized the need for stakeholders’ commitment, holistic development which encompass physical, emotional, intellectual, and moral growth of Nigerian children.
The First Lady while commending both the students and teachers for the various exhibitions on display and other materials, therefore called for an environment that would foster love, care, and support for children.
Earlier, the permanent Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Sola Adeluyi emphasized the need for parents to be alive to their responsibilities in ensuring that the development of every child is prioritized.
Also, the permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr Folake Olomojobi called for re-orientation of children from wrong to right values, such as integrity, love, unity, selfless service, preference to live in Nigeria among others.
The event which featured Match past, exhibition of crafts, presentation of awards, among others, attracted children from public and private schools across the state.
